Electric stove burner not working
How you fix an electric stove burner that's not working depends on your stove. If it has removable coil burners, a simple swap test tells you whether the coil, the socket it plugs into, or the switch behind the knob has failed, and a new coil is an easy fix. On a smooth glass cooktop the heating element sits under the glass, so there's less you can safely do yourself. The swap test is the whole trick. Let the working coil tell you which part is bad.
How an electric burner works
A coil burner is just a heating element that plugs into a (the receptacle) under the stovetop. The knob controls a switch that sends power to it. Any of those three parts can fail, and the coil is the most common.
A glass cooktop works the same way, but the element is fixed under the glass and wired in. If one area stops heating, you can check the power and the settings, but replacing the element means opening the cooktop.
Why a burner stops heating
The most common cause on coil stoves.
Not pushed fully into the socket.
Burned or loose contacts.
Burner only works on one setting, or not at all.
| Result | Bad part | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Working coil heats in the dead socket | The old coil | Replace the coil. |
| Working coil won't heat there | Socket or switch | Check the socket for scorching. |
| Burner only heats on high or low | The switch | Replace the switch or call a pro. |
| No burners work | Power | Check the breaker. |
Let's fix it
- Check which kind of stove you haveCoil burners are raised spirals you can lift slightly and unplug. Smooth glass cooktops are flat with painted circles. The steps below are for coils; if you have a glass top, jump to step 6.
- Turn it off and let it coolTurn every knob to off and let the burner cool completely. For extra safety, turn off the stove's breaker at the panel before you unplug anything.
- Reseat the coilLift the edge of the coil a little and pull it straight out of the socket. Look for anything obviously wrong, then push it back in firmly until it sits level. A coil that's only halfway in won't heat, and it can loosen when you clean the drip pans.
- Swap it with a working coilUnplug a coil of the same size from a burner that works and plug it into the dead burner's socket. Turn the power back on and test it. If the working coil heats there, the old coil is bad. If it still doesn't heat, the problem is the socket or the switch.
- Look at the coil and socketCheck the coil for bubbles, cracks or breaks and the prongs for burn marks. With the power off, look into the socket for blackened or melted spots. A new coil costs about $15–40; bring the old one or your stove's model number to match it. A scorched socket also needs replacing, and many stoves make that a simple swap, but if it looks melted or the wires are damaged, call a pro.
- For a glass top, check the basicsMake sure the cooktop isn't locked and that you're using the right knob for that burner. Check the breaker. Some elements cycle on and off by design; watch it for a minute on high. If one area never glows or warms, the element or its switch has usually failed, and that's a repair visit.
- Test it on every settingWith everything back together, run the burner on low, medium and high. If it only works on high, or only on low, the switch behind the knob is the likely cause, not the coil.
Watch it done
- The burner glows red on high within a minute or two
- It heats on low, medium and high
- The coil sits level in its socket
Only heats on one setting? The switch behind the knob is the likely cause.
If it still won't heat
If none of the burners or the oven heat but the clock and lights still work, the stove may be getting only half its power. Turn its double breaker fully off, then back on. If that doesn't fix it, call an electrician.
If a glass cooktop has a crack, stop using it and turn off the stove's breaker until it's replaced. A cracked top can let spills reach live parts.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A repair visit usually runs $100–$250. Replacing a burner switch typically costs $150–$250, and a glass-top element $200–$400 including labor.
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Electric burner questions
Why is one burner on my electric stove not working?
Usually a burned-out coil, a coil that isn't pushed fully into its socket, or a damaged socket or switch.
How do I know if my stove coil is bad?
Swap it with a working coil of the same size. If the working coil heats in that spot, the old coil is bad.
Can I replace an electric stove burner myself?
Coils just unplug and plug in. Sockets and switches involve wiring, so turn off the breaker first, or call a pro.
Why does my glass cooktop burner turn on and off?
That's normal. Elements cycle to hold the heat level. If one never warms at all, it has usually failed.